Kwon Dong-ho Sparks Outrage as Abusive Parent in Netflix's 'Teach You a Lesson'

Actor Kwon Dong-ho is drawing strong reactions from viewers for his chilling portrayal of an aggressive, entitled parent in the Netflix series Teach You a Lesson. The role taps directly into a hot-button social issue that has fueled intense public discourse in South Korea: the systemic harassment and abuse of schoolteachers by demanding parents.

Kwon appeared in the fifth episode, titled "Parent Trap," which premiered on June 5, playing a toxic character known simply as "Woo-jin’s father." The figure serves as a grim surrogate for the broader, real-world crisis of teacher rights violations and parental bullying within the school system.

"Parent Trap" tackles these real-world classroom issues head-on, capturing the immense pressure teachers face from aggressive parental complaints and infringements on their authority. The episode has struck a deep nerve with audiences since its release.

In a pivotal scene, Kwon’s character barges into a classroom mid-lesson to intimidate teacher Choi Ji-seon, played by Song Si-an. In a toxic bid to shield his own son from consequences, he turns aggressive toward the school and its faculty. Kwon’s menacing delivery of the line, "How ridiculous, really," paired with a volatile onscreen presence, effectively pushed viewer outrage to the surface.

In subsequent scenes, his character clashes with Na Hwa-jin, an inspector from the teacher protection bureau played by Kim Moo-yul. Through this confrontation, Kwon deftly portrays a bully beginning to face the legal and administrative consequences of his behavior—a transition the actor handles with grounded restraint rather than over-the-top melodrama.

Through his agency, Kwon shared his reflections on the heavy role. "It was an honor to take part in a project that carries such profound social meaning. I am incredibly grateful to director Hong Jong-chan for this opportunity, and to actor Park Ji-yeon for looking out for me on set in so many ways," he said. "I will hold on to all the support I’ve received and continue working quietly and seriously on my craft."

Interestingly, Kwon and Park Ji-yeon, who play the toxic married couple in "Parent Trap," share a real-life connection off-screen. The two actors attended the theater and film department at Hanyang University just one class year apart.